GLOBETROTTERS MONTHLY CHALLENGE: MARCH
The Misty, Magical and Marvellous Montmorency Falls
They’re a must-see stop if you’re ever in Québec City
My first visit to this waterfall just east of Québec City, Canada, was in 2006. We were en route to a ski weekend at Mont St Anne which is 30 minutes further along the highway.
Seeing a partially frozen St Lawrence River with clumps of ice swirling around was one thing for this kiwi gal; seeing a partially frozen waterfall was another.
The Montmorency Falls are 83 metres (or 272 feet) tall, 30 metres higher than the Niagara Falls.
The cable car ride takes you from the carpark to Manoir Montmorency. It was originally known as Kent House and was inhabited by Queen Victoria’s father, The Duke of Kent, from 1791 to 1794. It was rebuilt in 1994 after it was razed by fire and is now a restaurant and wedding reception venue.
Given it was minus something outside, the heated cable car was the only option with three young kids to see the Falls. The view was spectacular, both of the Falls and the river. In the bottom left corner of the Partially frozen Falls picture, you will see some keen souls ice-climbing the steep cliffs adjacent to the Falls. Reservations are a must.
Rather them than me!
Nine years later, a girlfriend and I went on a Fall excursion around the Charlevoix, a beautiful area further east along the St Lawrence River. We stopped in at the Falls and enjoyed them from a completely different angle and season.
In my lead picture, you get a better idea of the lay of the land. In warmer months, you can walk a full circuit of the park. The wooden staircase is inaccessible in the winter.
Instead of taking the cable car, we walked around to the Falls and climbed the 487 steps to the top. Unfortunately, my photos are lousy as the sun was in the wrong position.
Closer to the Falls, I captured two rainbows that were created by the combination of sun and water mist. You needed a coat if you wanted to get really close!
On both visits, I didn’t get to the suspension bridge at the top and after reading this article, maybe I won’t, ever! Although the current one was built in 1993, it is the fourth bridge to be built across the Falls.
The first was constructed in 1812; its replacement in 1856 collapsed five days after it opened hurling three people into the rushing water below. The bridge you see in my photos is still standing — and supported by masonry pillars that were part of the bridge that collapsed. Hmmmm!!
The bottom line is if you are in the Québec City area, visiting the Montmorency Falls is a must, whatever the season. The restaurant in the Manoir has poor ratings but the cable car ride is worth it for the spectacular views.
Had I bothered to do my homework before going on both occasions, I would’ve walked the suspension bridge at least once, nor did I realize you could do an entire loop of the park in the warmer seasons.
Oh well. Thank goodness for Globetrotters and writing prompts!
Indeed, thanks to the Globetrotters team for this March prompt. This topic spoke to me immediately, so I’m on the ball for once. I also have another waterfall story to share too…
Meantime, check out even faster writers than I on the subject. Their stories make the Montmorency Falls look like a tap running!
You must read this photographic and intriguing story by Brad Yonaka about his trips to the highest waterfall in the world. The backstory is fascinating and the scenery is jaw-dropping.
Jewel Allen wrote about her visit to the Victoria Falls. I love living travel adventures through other writers, especially when I know I’ll never get to see something in real life.
